Self-powered long-life occupancy sensors and sensor circuits

Abstract

Occupancy sensors are provided that do not require an external power source in order to operate. The sensors operate with a low voltage non-rechargeable battery and are fully functional for at least about 15-20 years. The sensors include a relay output capable of switching high or low voltage and high or low current with virtually no generated heat. The sensors require no warm-up period, no minimum load, and no external ground connection. The sensors are always active and are easily installed, having two electrically interchangeable outputs for coupling to, for example, a load and a load power source.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of coupling a first relay output to a second relay output based on an occurrence of an event, said method comprising:
 generating a signal in response to an occurrence of said event; 
 applying a voltage pulse of a first polarity across a relay coil in response to said generating; 
 coupling said first and second relay outputs to each other in response to said applying; and 
 powering said generating, said applying, and said coupling with a self-contained, non-rechargeable energy storage device supplying no more than about 3.6 volts. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising enclosing said generating, said applying, said coupling, and said energy storage device in a single housing. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein said event comprises the sensing of occupancy in a designated area. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein said first relay output is operative to be coupled to a load and said second relay output is operative to be coupled to power for said load. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein said generating comprises amplifying a signal using no more than about 30 microamperes of current supplied by said energy storage device in response to an occurrence of said event. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 illuminating a light emitting diode in response to said generating a signal; and 
 powering said illuminating with said energy storage device. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein said energy storage device is a non-rechargeable battery. 
     
     
       8. A method of coupling a first relay output to a second relay output based on an occurrence of an event, said method comprising:
 generating a signal in response to an occurrence of said event; 
 activating a timer for a limited period of time in response to said generating a signal; 
 applying a voltage pulse of a first polarity across a relay coil in response to said generating; 
 coupling said first and second relay outputs to each other in response to said applying; 
 decoupling said first and second outputs from each other in response to said limited period of time expiring; and 
 powering said generating, said activating, said applying, said coupling, and said decoupling with a self-contained, non-rechargeable energy storage device supplying no more than about 3.6 volts. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 preventing for a limited period of time after said decoupling said activating a timer; and 
 powering said preventing with said energy storage device. 
 
     
     
       10. A method of coupling a first relay output to a second relay output based on an occurrence of an event, said method comprising:
 generating a signal in response to an occurrence of said event; 
 activating a timer for a limited period of time in response to said generating a signal; 
 applying a first voltage pulse of a first polarity across a relay coil in response to said generating; 
 coupling said first and second relay outputs to each other in response to said applying; 
 applying a second voltage pulse of a second polarity across said relay coil in response to said limited period of time expiring; 
 decoupling said first and second relay outputs from each other in response to said applying a second voltage pulse; and 
 powering said generating, said activating, said applying a first voltage pulse, said coupling, said applying a second voltage pulse, and said decoupling with a self-contained, non-rechargeable energy storage device supplying no more than about 3.6 volts. 
 
     
     
       11. Apparatus for coupling a first relay output to a second relay output based on an occurrence of an event, said apparatus comprising:
 means for generating a signal in response to an occurrence of said event; 
 means for applying a voltage pulse of a first polarity across a relay coil in response to said generating; 
 means for coupling said first and said second relay outputs to each other in response to said applying; and 
 means for powering said generating, said applying, and said coupling with no more than about 3.6 volts, said means for powering being non-rechargeable, self-contained, and portable. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8  wherein said event comprises the sensing of occupancy in a designated area. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8  wherein said first relay output is operative to be coupled to a load and said second relay output is operative to be coupled to power for said load. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 8  wherein said energy storage device is a non-rechargeable battery. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 illuminating a light emitting diode in response to said generating a signal; and 
 powering said illuminating with said energy storage device. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 10  wherein said event comprises the sensing of occupancy in a designated area. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 10  wherein said first relay output is operative to be coupled to a load and said second relay output is operative to be coupled to power for said load. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 10  wherein said energy storage device is a non-rechargeable battery. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 illuminating a light emitting diode in response to said generating a signal; and 
 powering said illuminating with said energy storage device. 
 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 preventing for a limited period of time after said decoupling said activating a timer; and 
 powering said preventing with said energy storage device.